US Dad Wins Appeal in Brazilian Custody Battle

Yesterday, a Brazilian appeals court ordered the return of 9 year old Sean Goldman to his father, David Goldman of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, at the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro within 48 hours.

Buran Bianchi, Goldman’s wife, took Sean to her native Brazil in 2004 for a vacation and never returned. She divorced Goldman and then remarried. Goldman started legal proceedings for the return of his son when she unexpectedly died. Sean has lived with his stepfather since then, Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, who has battled Goldman for custody for over five years.

Goldman and his lawyers are bracing for another appeal. President Obama, Congress and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have all urged return of the child to Goldman.